Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne returned home yesterday following his heroics for the Qantas Young Socceroos (Under 19’s) at the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under 19 Championships in Thailand.
Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne returned home yesterday following his heroics for the Qantas Young Socceroos (Under 19-s) at the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under 19 Championships in Thailand.
While in Thailand, Redmayne was in inspired form for his country – most notably contributing three penalty saves to Australia-s 3-1 shoot out triumph over the Korea Republic in the final of the four-team tournament, helping secure the Qantas Young Socceroos a confidence boosting piece of silverware in the process.
In two matches for the Qantas Young Socceroos at the same venue where Australia contested the majority of their 2007 AFC Asian Cup campaign, the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Redmayne didn-t concede a goal despite facing regional heavyweights the Korea Republic on both occasions.
Such form has given Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna a further selection headache ahead of the Mariners- crucial Hyundai A-League match up against the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, with incumbent goalkeepers Mark Bosnich and Danny Vukovic set to return to calculations from injury and suspension respectively.
“Everyone at the Mariners and I-m sure our Members and supporters pass on their congratulations to the Qantas Young Socceroos and Andrew for their outstanding achievements in Thailand,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“The coming weeks and months loom as a very crucial period for this group of players and with players of Andrew-s ability involved, I-m confident that the Socceroos will continue to achieve great things on the world stage.”
Redmayne is likely to remain on the Central Coast with his Mariners team-mates for only a short while before again turning his attentions to national team duties, with the Qantas Young Socceroos bound for Saudi Arabia in early November where they will bid for a place at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
In order to qualify for FIFA-s bi-annual gathering of the world-s best young talent, Australia must qualify for the semi finals of next month-s regional championships in the middle east, where the Qantas Young Socceroos have been grouped with Jordan, Uzbekistan and Thailand, the latter of which Australia defeated 2-1 in Bangkok last week.
“To win the AFF Under 19 Championships was a huge morale booster for us in Thailand and the challenge now is for us to continue this form where and when it most matters, in Saudi Arabia next month,” said Redmayne.
“None the less, it was a terrific experience to represent my country and hopefully I will have the opportunity to do it again soon, but for the meantime the Mariners is my focus and we-ve got a huge match against Wellington to look forward to on Sunday, which it would be great to be involved in.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign continues at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday, 19 October, when they host the Wellington Phoenix in Round 8. Kick off is at 3pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
